Software Installation Console(My dream)

15 posts in this topic

Bio 0

I am working in an IT company where I install several computers everyday. All of the computers have different hardware model and different configuration and different applications installed.

I would like to use AutoIt to bring something in reality which is in my mind.

Problem description: After installing Windows, I have to install several applications which require a lot of Next, Next, select a check box, agree the license agreement, Next, Next. This is time consuming and requires manual work a lot. After applications, I need to install printers as well.

Project(my dream): I want a console/window where I will see all the applications with a check box near them.

All the applications have to be scripted so they will run unattended.

I will also see the printers with a check box near them. Once I will select all the applications user wants, and all the printers user wants, I will press a key and process will start and will install the applications and printers without me being there.

I started to play with AutoIt and went through the Tutorials from help and sucessfully finished HelloWorld, Notepad and Winzip installation.

Questions:

1-) During some software installations, I need to select a check box or choose an option from dropdown list, is it possible to implement it in installation?

2-) Could you please let me know which tutorails I need to read to be able to achieve this?

I think that you will need to look at creating individual scripts for each installer to start with, you'll need to work out when a restart is really needed and then try and mash the whole lot together.

You'll need the help file in the installer and I suggest you download the Beta build of AutoIT as it has more features in it.

Your going to be needing WinWaitActive() and ControlClick() for most of your installer clicking, start off with one of your simpler installers and see if you can script it, people on here will help you but most of them like to see what you have tried yourself.

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Stumpii 2

Also download SciTe and check out the AutoItMacroGenerator in the extras folder. I use it alot for program installations.

Edited February 20, 2006 by Stumpii

Give a man a script; you have helped him for today. Teach a man to script; and you will not have to hear him whine for help.AutoIt4UE - Custom AutoIt toolbar and wordfile for UltraEdit/UEStudio users.AutoIt Graphical Debugger - A graphical debugger for AutoIt.SimMetrics COM Wrapper - Calculate string similarity.

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DeFuser 0

Also, try to rely more on keystrokes and less on mouse movements. If you keep this in mind, a lot of the individual installation routines (as you have already noticed) will consist mainly of "Send("!n")"

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MadBoy 2

Well first of all write what kinda programs you wish to install? A lot, if not all applications can be installed silently without user interaction. I created app in au3 that might some use for you (i use it in my IT Department and we're gonna implement it to other IT Departments when it's 1.0 ;p). Check .jpg if it's any use for you. Don't mind the polish language. What you can do with it is to choose one of 6 profiles that have 'diffrent apps' for diffrent users. Standard user, Advanced user or Super user (like some BOSS or so). Mobile is just VPN added.

On the right part of the screen there's option to choose "checkbox" for apps you want to install (if it's non-standard user). I haven't fully finished the app yet but i'm planning to in near future. It will have few nice things. Well anyways.. Lemme know if it's something like that you're looking for. I can give you source then although i would prefer you to wait for 1.0 version, because right now few things aren't working 100% as they should.

I would suggest you to not use "mouse movements" or "send" lines or shit like that. Like i said 90% of apps can be isntalled silently with options you want them to install. You just gotta find the right way.

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Bert 1,126

I'm working on something like this also, with a folder structor that allows for quick adding of programs. It is still in devolopment, but from the looks of it, alot of us are working on the same thing, or have already have done it. I know there is a place to put this stuff, but it would be nice to have a place that simply listed types of apps that pointed to where you can get then without all the searching.

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Bio 0

I spent few hours and got successed to create most of my applications as unattended. Till now, I have Microsoft Office, Visio, Project, Adobe Reader, Winzip, VPN Client, some financial applications. This is really cool. I did not work with mouse-movements but I got help from AutoItMacroGenerator021 to learn some tricks like unchecking boxes,etc...

Now I have nearly 10 applications indiviually/seperate which are executable and unattended means when you double click, it installs itself automatically.

Now what I would like to do is, I want a GUI console, where I will see the applications with a check box near them, once I will click it will start to install automatically "one after other" means one installation will finish and then the other will start(question 1)

(question 2)How can I create my own GUI console interface like you created? I appreciate any trick or tutorial.

@Madboy: I would like to have a look at your source, your GUI looks nice.

@vollyman: You GUI looks nice but I could not guess what every button does. Is there chance to have a look at the source?

@tonedeaf: Thank you for MSI tip, any recommended tool which I can use?

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Bio 0

I discovered something called Koda Form Designer, I started to play, it is amazing :-) I just need more "professional look" for GUI.

The more I get into this, the more different questions I start to get.

Question1:

I could not find, how can set an option/rule like if you the check box is ticked/checked, do this/start this executable.

Question2: is there any way to set a rule saying that install this application, once it is finished, start installing the ther one. I do not want to set a timer because some machines are faster then the other ones, so I just need the action, not a specific time like after 5 minutes start the other but after it is finished, start the other one.

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MadBoy 2

Well Bio.. In my opinion using AutoItmacro generator is not best choice in your situation. All apps you mentioned can be installed very easly/preconfigured and automated without use of it. For example VPN Client is just one .ini file that you add 2 variables and it goes automagically. All microsoft apps can also be easly automated with use of microsoft office resource kit If you need help on that np i can help.

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shavenh 0

I discovered something called Koda Form Designer, I started to play, it is amazing :-) I just need more "professional look" for GUI.

The more I get into this, the more different questions I start to get.

Question1:

I could not find, how can set an option/rule like if you the check box is ticked/checked, do this/start this executable.

Question2: is there any way to set a rule saying that install this application, once it is finished, start installing the ther one. I do not want to set a timer because some machines are faster then the other ones, so I just need the action, not a specific time like after 5 minutes start the other but after it is finished, start the other one.

Thank you

look at the help on:

1) use GUICtrlSetState

2) use RunWait

good luck

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MadBoy 2

VPN CLIENT --> create oem.ini and add those lines there (won't say it needs reboot at the end but it does. And mind that if you're using instalation over LAN u should place VPN last since it disconnects for 1 sec connection.

[brand]CompanyText = CompanyName

ProductText = VPN Client

[Default]

SilentMode = 1

InstallPath = C:\Program Files\VPN Client

DefGroup = VPN Client

Reboot = 2

Microsoft Office,Visio,Project can be done with Microsoft Resource Kit (XP needs XP version, 2003 needs 2003 version of RK). You created unattended.mst file with that and then u use it like

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Bert 1,126

Mine is pretty strait forward. You follow the folder structor on adding a program. It will show up on the list in the left collum. Click on the ones you want to install, and they will show up in the right collum. If you need to run a application with admin rights, check the runas box to enter the logon ID. You can do auto logon if needed, and it will log what you install.

If you have a program that needs a key, you can add it to the apps needing keys folder, and when you select it from the left collum, you get a input box asking for a key. You will need to configure your script to look for it, but that is no biggy.

Most all options can be set in the options GUI.

I do need help in compleating it. IF anyone wants to help, you can get the current source code here: